Posted on 04/25/2008 1:06:46 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
THEY are famed for their ferocity in battle and their loyalty to Britain, which they have served for almost 200 years – in some cases laying down their lives.
But the tradition of Gurkha soldiers being an integral part of the UK armed forces is at risk from a change of government in their homeland, Nepal.
The Maoists are the largest party in the 601-seat constituent assembly after a surprise election reADVERTISEMENTsult. Though they do not have a majority – preliminary results give them 217 seats – the former communist rebels say they are determined to end the practice of allowing Gurkhas to enrol for the British and Indian armies, a practice they say is humiliating and mercenary.
Baburam Bhattarai, a Maoist leader seen as Nepal's prospective prime minister, said: "The obnoxious practice of your citizens joining foreign armies as mercenaries will be stopped."
But this has been met with opposition among former soldiers – and politicians in Britain. "Nothing stirs a Gurkha more than his honour dared, but here we are in a fix," said Mahendra Lal Rai, secretary of the largest former Gurkha soldiers' group.
"We do feel like mercenaries fighting for foreign armies, but who can deny our economic reality, our compulsions? We are caught between pride and practicality."
Nick Harvey MP, the Liberal Democrat shadow defence secretary, said: "This would be a disaster for the British Army, and a disaster for those who are, and may wish to become, Gurkhas.
"The contribution Gurkhas make to Britain's armed forces is invaluable. Any prospect that we could lose the service Gurkhas give this country only serves to highlight the poor treatment that their veterans have been subjected to by the British government.
"Moreover, this has been part of Nepalese life for generations, and the money which Gurkha soldiers send back to their families is a vital part of the country's economy."
The Lib-Dems want Gurkhas who left the army before 1997 to be granted the same right as those who retired since then to live in the UK.
There are around 3,500 Gurkhas currently serving in the British army, and Prince Harry lived with a Gurkha battalion during the 10 weeks he served recently in Afghanistan.
Last year, about 17,500 Nepalese youths battled to secure 230 places on offer in the army. They are motivated by economic reality as well as a proud fighting tradition – they earn the same £28,000 basic wage as British personnel and now qualify for a UK pension and the right to retire in the country.
Nepal is one of the world's poorest countries – the typical wage is less than £300 a year and 40 per cent of the population live in poverty.
The Maoists say that alternative job opportunities will be created and plan to close British army recruitment centres.
But Manender Limboo, a young Gurkha who aspires to go abroad as a British soldier, said: "What is there in Nepal? Even if we get a job, will it pay as much as an overseas one?"
Gurkhas say an army job is not an automatic choice of the young generation. "They want to go to Japan, Korea or America. When they fail they think of an army job," said Rai, who served in Britain's 10 Gurkha Rifle in 10 countries from 1979-93.
The Ministry of Defence said it was unclear how the Nepalese elections would affect UK policy on Gurkhas as a ruling coalition had yet to be formed.
An MOD spokesman said: "We have no indication that the recruitment of Gurkhas would be affected by a change of government in Nepal."
'BETTER TO DIE THAN BE A COWARD'
GURKHAS have fought for Britain since 1815 and have served in conflicts including the Falklands, Afghanistan and Iraq. More than 200,000 fought in the First and Second World Wars. Following the partition of India in 1947, four regiments were transferred to the British Army and their bravery has earned them 13 Victoria Crosses. Their motto is "Better to die than be a coward", and they carry into battle an 18in curved knife known as the kukri, which it was said had to "taste blood" once drawn from its sheath.
They are now based at Shorncliffe in Kent.
We pick 230 out of 17500 applicants? Woof, no wonder the ones who get through are elite troops.
The Maoists can’t bring anything but crushing ideology and poverty to Nepal: the Gurkhas and the British will continue their partnership.
BTW, guys..keep on building that big dam and submerging peoples homes and your "rich" history and archeological finds.
I’ll take the Gurkhas over the Maoists in a fight.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
L
Nepal is ranked 193 in the world for per capita GDP at $1400, just below Uganda. Not much further to go.
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